Dam'araland

Dam'araland, a territory in the west of South Africa, between Namaqualand and Ovampoland proper, extending from the Atlantic to about 19° 45' E. long. Behind the waterless coast region (100 miles) rises a mountain district, with peaks over 8500 feet above the sea; and farther inland stretch wide prairies. The mountains are rich in minerals, especially copper; vegetation is confined to their valleys, and to the prairie region, which in the north enjoys a fine rainfall. The produce of the interior consists of ivory, feathers, skins, &c. The Damaras, properly Herero, a Bantu (q.v.) stem, number about 80,000, of whom 50,000 live in the mountain district; they are nomads, and own large flocks and herds. The Hawkoin, or Hill Damaras, in the north-east, however, who are a much lower type, now speak Hottentot. The only harbour in this part of the coast is Walvisch Bay (q.v.), which properly belongs to Namaqualand; it was annexed to Cape Colony in 1884. In the same year the desert region along the coast was made a German protectorate, and the rest of it in 1890.